Apparatus for transporting roll film or the like

ABSTRACT

Photographic roll film is transported through the tank of a continuous developing unit by moving along an extended helical path defined by a stationary drum which is installed in the tank and has a cylindrical wall carrying a helical rail formed with outwardly flaring helical channels for the edges of roll film. Driven transporting rollers extend into openings provided therefor in the drum to engage the edges of film and to transport it in the channels.

United States Patent Meeussen et al.

[54] APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING ROLL FILM OR THE LIKE AGFA-Gevaert Aktiengesellsehalt, Leverkusen, Germany [22] Filed: Nov. 14, 1968 [21] Appl1No.: 775,803

[73] Assignee:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 18, 1967 Germany ..P 15 97 658.6

[52] U.S. Cl ..95/94 R, 95/89 R, 134/132 51 May 16, 1972 Primary ExaminerSamuel S. Matthews Assistant ExaminerAlan Mathews Attorney-Michael S. Striker [5 7] ABSTRACT Photographic roll film is transported through the tank of a continuous developing unit by moving along an extended helical path defined by a stationary drum which is installed in the tank and has a cylindrical wall carrying a helical rail formed with outwardly flaring helical channels for the edges of roll film. Driven transporting rollers extend into openings provided therefor in the drum to engage the edges of film and to transport it in the channels.

14 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures [58] Field of Search ..95/89, 90.5, 94, 93; 118/423, 118/424, 427, 428; 134/64, 65, 122, 132,9, 14, 15

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,689,729 9/1954 Debrie ..95/94 X 74115; I I I E 5.

I v r 5 APPARATUS FOR TRANSPOR'I'ING ROLL FILM OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for transporting elongated bands, particularly for transporting exposed roll film through a continuous developing unit wherein the film is subjected to a series of successive treatments, for example, by being conveyed through a developing solution, thereupon through a fixer, and finally through a washing and-or drying assembly.

It is already known to transport photographic film through a developing unit by resorting to a rotary drum onto which the film is convoluted in the form of an extended spiral. A drawback of such apparatus is that the drum cannot transport a succession of films in a continuous operation. Thus, each film must be convoluted onto the drum individually, and the drum is thereupon inserted into the tank of the developing unit. n the other hand, transportation of film with or along a drum exhibits several important advantages, particularly as regards the compactness of the developing unit and the quantities of developing and other liquids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An important object of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple, compact and inexpensive apparatus for continuous transport of exposed roll film or analogous band-like materials through a developing or other treating unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a transporting apparatus which can be accommodated in a relatively small receptacle and which can properly transport short and/or long films or like bands without any damage to the exposed surfaces of such bodies.

A further object of the invention is to provide a transporting apparatus which can be designed to transport wide or narrow films as well as relatively rigid or readily flexible films or like bands.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a transporting apparatus which can automatically convey a single band or a succession of interconnected or discrete bands along a shorter or longer path and which can convey such bodies through one, two or more paths, either in a single receptacle or in a battery of two or more receptacles.

The improved apparatus comprises stationary guide means, preferably a hollow drum which is provided with heating means and is fixedly mounted in the interior of a tank forming part of a developing unit for roll film, the guide means defining an elongated helical path having convolutions along which the band or bands rnove lengthwise, and a plurality of driven transporting elements adjacent to the path and arranged to engage the edges of the band or bands. The transporting elements preferably constitute rollers which are disposed in pairs whereby the rollers of each pair flank longitudinally spaced portions of the path so that each roller of a pair engages one edge of the band which is thereby advanced along the path in response to rotation of transporting rollers.

The aforementioned fixed drum preferably comprises a cylindrical wall provided with an external or internal rail which defines the convolutions of the helical path and whose side faces are formed with two helical channels for the edges of bands. The transporting rollers are preferably mounted on one or more carriers which are separably mounted on the tank, and the drum is formed with openings or cutouts into which the rollers extend. Each roller may be formed with a circumferential groove which receives the adjoining edge of a band and wherein the bottom surface is preferably roughened to insure satisfactory frictional engagement with the adjoining edge of a band.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved transporting apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a transverse vertical sectional view of a transporting apparatus which embodies one form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view as seen in the direction of arrow IV in FIG. 1, with the cover for the open top of the tank omitted;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of a rotary transporting roller in the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail view of two transporting rollers and of the adjoining part of the guide means for roll film; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic end elevational view of a battery of three transporting apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a transporting apparatus which is incorporated in a developing unit for exposed photographic roll film. The apparatus comprises a receptacle or tank 1 which accommodates a stationary guide means 2 here shown as an elongated hollow horizontal drum which accommodates or incorporates a heating device 3, preferably an electric resistance heater or a coil for circulating heating fluid. The drum 2 comprises a cylindrical shell or wall 4 which is provided with an external helically convoluted guide rail 5. The guide rail 5 forms an expanded or extended helix or spiral. The side faces of the rail 5 are formed with wedge-like channels 6 (see particularly FIG. 3) which taper outwardly and each of which accommodates one edge of exposed roll film 7. The open sides of channels 6 in adjoining helices of the rail 5 face each other.

The tank 1 accommodates at least one transversely extending partition 8 which subdivides its internal space 9 into compartments l0 and 11. The partition 8 forms a portion of a helix, see FIG. 2, and is sealingly secured to or in sealing engagement with the adjoining convolution of the rail 5. The open top of the tank I is normally sealed by a cover or lid 12.

One end convolution of the rail 5 extends upwardly, as at 13, to form an inlet for admission of the leading end of a roll film 7. The upper end of the inlet 13 terminates directly below two advancing rolls l4, 15 which are driven and serve to automatically thread the leading end of a film 7 into the channels 6 of the rail 5. The tank 1 and/or its cover 12 carries a holder or support I6 which defines a socket 17 adapted to accommodate a portion of a film container or cartridge 18 so that the mouth of the cartridge faces the nip between the advancing rolls 14, 15. The support 16 is preferably detachable and can be replaced by other supports having sockets for difierently configurated and/or dimensioned film containers.

The rail 5 further comprises a second end convolution which extends upwardly, as at 19, and forms an outlet for discharge of treated film.

The means for transponing the film 7 in the channels 6 of the rail 5 comprises several pairs of transporting rollers 20, 21 (see particularly FIG. 6) which resemble pulleys or sheaves and have shafts 22, 23 joumalled in a preferably detachable platform or carrier 24. This platform 24 further supports the shafts 25 of intermediate gears 26 each of which drives at least one roller of a pair of rollers 20, 21. At least one of the intermediate gears 26 is driven by an electric motor (not shown) or another suitable prime mover, preferably by way of a variable speed transmission.

The configuration of circumferential grooves 27 in the peripheral surfaces of transporting rollers 20, 21 (see FIG. 5) preferably corresponds to that of channels 6 in the helices of the rail 5. This rail is formed with windows or cutouts 5a (shown in FIG. 6) through which the rollers 20, 21 extend so that the bottom surfaces in their grooves 27 can engage with the edges of the film 7. if desired or necessary, the bottom surfaces of rollers 20, 21 in their grooves 27 can be roughened by hammering, milling or in another suitable way. It is also possible to coat such bottom surfaces with elastomeric material which insures satisfactory frictional engagement with the edges of the film 7 so that the latter can be transported lengthwise without any appreciable slippage. The rollers 20, 21 have gears 28, 29 which mesh with each other and/or with the adjoining intermediate gears 26, see FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 illustrates schematically a battery of three apparatus each of which is similar to the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. These apparatus respectively comprise tanks la, lb, 1c, and F IG. 7 further shows arcuate auxiliary guides 30 each of which guides the film from the outlet 19 of the rail 5 in a preceding tank into the inlet 13 of the rail 5 in the next-following tank. Thus, the battery shown in FIG. 7 must be provided with a single pair of advancing rolls 14, 15 even though it is possible and often advisable to provide additional advancing rolls in each of the auxiliary guides 30, for example, when the roll film to be treated in the tanks la-lc is rather short. The drums in the tanks la-lb, lc are respectively indicated at 20, 2b, 2c. These tanks may but need not be provided with partitions because each thereof can contain a different treating fluid which comes in contact with the film. in F168. 1 and 2, one of the compartments 9, 10 may accommodate a developing solution and the other tank may accommodate a fixer.

An important advantage of our transporting apparatus is that the drum 2, 2a, 2b or 2c need not rotate; therefore, such drums can cooperate with the transporting rollers 20, 21 to facilitate continuous transport of a succession of films along the paths defined by respective rails 5. A film which is advanced by rolls l4, into the space between the first pair of transporting rollers 20, 2! is automatically advanced along the entire path and issues at the outlet 19 or is automatically introduced into the next tank (lb or lc of FIG. 7) by passing through the channel or channels defined by an auxiliary guide 30. A fresh film can be fed into the nip between the advancing rolls l4, 15 as soon as the trailing end of the preceding film enters the inlet 13 of the rail 5. The length of the interval during which a film remains in the tank 1 depends on the length of the path defined by the rail 5 and by the rotational speed of transporting rollers 20, 2!. Such rotational speed is preferably variable (by the aforementioned transmission which drives one of the intermediate gears 26 or by employing a variable-speed prime mover for the gear train of FIG. 4) so that the duration of treatment to which the films are subjected in the tank 1 can be regulated in dependency on the type of film, on the type of solutions in the compartments 10, 11 and/or in dependency on other factors. It is clear that the rail 5 can be provided at the inner side of the wall 4 without departing from the spirit of our invention.

Another important advantage of our apparatus is that the rail 5 provides an accurately defined helical path for the film or films 7. Therefore, the cover 12 can be placed into close proximity of the apex of the drum 2 and the volume of internal space of the tank I can be reduced to a minimum. This insures that the interior of the tank I may be maintained in an optimum condition for proper treatment of films or the like. For example, the moisture content of fiuid in the tank 1 can be maintained at 100 percent which is important for viscose treatment of films. The heating unit serves to stabilize the developing operation.

The channels 6 in the side faces of the rail 5 are preferably provided at a predetermined distance from the adjoining external or internal surface of the wall 4 to insure that the emulsions of films 7 cannot rub against the wall. in order to insure more satisfactory transport of film with reference to the rail 5, the surfaces surrounding the channels 6 may be coated with a friction reducing material, such as Tefion or the like.

The number of transporting rollers 20, 2] depends on the minimum length of films which are to be treated in the developing unit. Thus, if the unit is to process rather long as well as rather short films, the distance between adjoining (successive) pairs of transporting rollers 20, 21 should be less than the length of shortest film. As a rule, it is sufficient to provide one pair of transporting rollers for each convolution of the rail 5. If a film is exceptionally short, for example, if such a film constitutes a sensitometer strip, the transporting apparatus may comprise several carriers 24 each of which supports several pairs of transporting rolls. Such carriers are then distributed circumferentially of the drum 2 so that two or more pairs of transporting rolls can move the film along each helix of the rail 5. The provision of two or more pairs of transponing rolls for each convolution of the rail 5 enables the person in charge to process very short films without it being necessary to splice the films end-to-end.

It is further clear that the transporting rollers 20 and/or 21 can be replaced by simpler rollers with preferably roughened cylindrical peripheral surfaces.

The partition 8 can extend all the way to the open top of the tank I; however, it is normally sufficient to employ a partition which extends at least slightly above the surface of liquid in that compartment wherein the liquid level is higher. Two or more partitions 8 may be used in the tank 1 and/or in each of the tanks la-lc shown in FIG. 7.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of our contribution to the art.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Let ters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for transporting elongated bands, particularly for transporting photographic film through a continuous developing unit, comprising stationary guide means including a substantially horizontal drum having a helically convoluted rail whose convolutions define a helical path therebetween along which the band moves lengthwise; a plurality of driven transporting elements adjacent to said path and arranged to engage with the edges of the band; a receptacle accommodating said guide means; and partition means extending between said receptacle and said guide means to subdivide the interior of said receptacle into a plurality of compartments, said partition means being in sealing engagement with said receptacle and with said rail.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim I, wherein said transporting elements are rollers which are disposed in pairs and wherein the rollers of each pair flank longitudinally spaced portions of said path so that each roller of a pair can engage one edge of the band which is advanced along said path.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a common carrier for at least some of said transporting elements.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said transporting elements are provided with roughened band-engaging surfaces.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said guide means further comprises an inlet for admission of the leading end of a band into said path, and further comprising driven advancing means for feeding a band through said inlet and into the range of said transporting elements.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, further comprising support means for containers for roll film, said support means being positioned adjacent to said advancing means so that the leading end of film in a container can be engaged by said advancing means.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional guide means, additional transporting elements for conveying bands along the path defined by said additional guide means, and auxiliary guide means for guiding bands between said first and last mentioned paths.

8. Apparatus for transporting elongated bands, particularly for transporting photographic film through a continuous developing unit, comprising stationary guide means including a drum having helical guide rail means whose convolutions define a helical path therebetween along which the band moves lengthwise, said drum further comprising a cylindrical wall having an internal surface and an external surface and said guide rail means extending along one of said surfaces; and a plurality of driven transporting elements adjacent to said path and arranged to engage with the edges of the band, said guide rail means being provided with a pair of channels receiving the edges of the band which is advanced by said transporting means.

9. Apparatus for transporting elongated bands, particularly for transporting photographic film through a continuous developing unit, comprising stationary guide means including a drum having helical guide rail means whose convolutions define a helical path therebetween along which the band moves lengthwise; a tank accommodating said guide means and having an open top; cover means for the open top of said tank; and a plurality of driven transporting elements adjacent to said path and arranged to engage with the edges of the band, said guide rail means being provided with a pair of channels receiving the edges of the band which is advanced by said transporting means along said path.

10. Apparatus for transporting elongated bands, particularly for transporting photographic film through a continuous developing unit, comprising stationary guide means provided with heating means and including a drum having helical guide rail means whose convolutions define a helical path therebetween along which the band moves lengthwise; and a plurality of driven transporting elements adjacent to said path and arranged to engage with the edges of the band, said guide rail means being provided with a pair of channels receiving the edges of the band which is advanced by said transporting means along said path.

ll. Apparatus for transporting elongated bands particularly for transporting photographic film through a continuous developing unit, comprising stationary guide means including a drum having helical guide rail means whose convolutions define a helical path therebetween along which the band moves lengthwise; and a plurality of driven transporting rollers adjacent to said path and arranged to engage with the edges of the band, said guide rail means being provided with a pair of channels receiving the edges of the band which is advanced by said rollers along said path and said rollers having circumferential grooves arranged to receive the adjoining edges of a band which is advanced along said path.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11. wherein the width of said circumferential grooves decreases toward the axes of the respective rollers.

13. Apparatus for transporting elongated bands, particularly for transporting photographic film through a continuous developing unit, comprising stationary guide means including a drum having helical guide rail means whose convolutions define a helical path therebetween along which the band moves lengthwise; a plurality of driven transporting elements adjacent to said path and arranged to engage with the edges of the band, said guide rail means being provided with a pair of channels receiving the edges of the band which is advanced by said transporting means along said path; a receptacle accommodating said guide means; and partition means extending between said receptacle and said guide means to subdivide the interior of said receptacle into a plurality of compartments.

14. Apparatus for transporting elongated bands, particularly for transporting photographic film through a continuous developing unit, comprising stationary guide means including a drum having helical guide rail means whose convolutions define a helical path therebetween along which the band moves lengthwise; a plurality of driven transporting elements adjacent to said path and arranged to engage with the edges of the band, said guide rail means being provided with a pair of channels receiving the edges of the band which is advanced by said transporting means along said path; at least one additional guide means; additional transporting elements for conveying bands along the path defined by said additional guide meansauxiliary guide means for guiding bands between said first and last mentioned paths; and separate receptacles for said guide means.

I l l l 

1. Apparatus for transporting elongated bands, particularly for transporting photographic film through a continuous developing unit, comprising stationary guide meAns including a substantially horizontal drum having a helically convoluted rail whose convolutions define a helical path therebetween along which the band moves lengthwise; a plurality of driven transporting elements adjacent to said path and arranged to engage with the edges of the band; a receptacle accommodating said guide means; and partition means extending between said receptacle and said guide means to subdivide the interior of said receptacle into a plurality of compartments, said partition means being in sealing engagement with said receptacle and with said rail.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said transporting elements are rollers which are disposed in pairs and wherein the rollers of each pair flank longitudinally spaced portions of said path so that each roller of a pair can engage one edge of the band which is advanced along said path.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a common carrier for at least some of said transporting elements.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said transporting elements are provided with roughened band-engaging surfaces.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said guide means further comprises an inlet for admission of the leading end of a band into said path, and further comprising driven advancing means for feeding a band through said inlet and into the range of said transporting elements.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, further comprising support means for containers for roll film, said support means being positioned adjacent to said advancing means so that the leading end of film in a container can be engaged by said advancing means.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional guide means, additional transporting elements for conveying bands along the path defined by said additional guide means, and auxiliary guide means for guiding bands between said first and last mentioned paths.
 8. Apparatus for transporting elongated bands, particularly for transporting photographic film through a continuous developing unit, comprising stationary guide means including a drum having helical guide rail means whose convolutions define a helical path therebetween along which the band moves lengthwise, said drum further comprising a cylindrical wall having an internal surface and an external surface and said guide rail means extending along one of said surfaces; and a plurality of driven transporting elements adjacent to said path and arranged to engage with the edges of the band, said guide rail means being provided with a pair of channels receiving the edges of the band which is advanced by said transporting means.
 9. Apparatus for transporting elongated bands, particularly for transporting photographic film through a continuous developing unit, comprising stationary guide means including a drum having helical guide rail means whose convolutions define a helical path therebetween along which the band moves lengthwise; a tank accommodating said guide means and having an open top; cover means for the open top of said tank; and a plurality of driven transporting elements adjacent to said path and arranged to engage with the edges of the band, said guide rail means being provided with a pair of channels receiving the edges of the band which is advanced by said transporting means along said path.
 10. Apparatus for transporting elongated bands, particularly for transporting photographic film through a continuous developing unit, comprising stationary guide means provided with heating means and including a drum having helical guide rail means whose convolutions define a helical path therebetween along which the band moves lengthwise; and a plurality of driven transporting elements adjacent to said path and arranged to engage with the edges of the band, said guide rail means being provided with a pair of channels receiving the edges of the band which is advanced by said transporting means along said path.
 11. AppAratus for transporting elongated bands, particularly for transporting photographic film through a continuous developing unit, comprising stationary guide means including a drum having helical guide rail means whose convolutions define a helical path therebetween along which the band moves lengthwise; and a plurality of driven transporting rollers adjacent to said path and arranged to engage with the edges of the band, said guide rail means being provided with a pair of channels receiving the edges of the band which is advanced by said rollers along said path and said rollers having circumferential grooves arranged to receive the adjoining edges of a band which is advanced along said path.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the width of said circumferential grooves decreases toward the axes of the respective rollers.
 13. Apparatus for transporting elongated bands, particularly for transporting photographic film through a continuous developing unit, comprising stationary guide means including a drum having helical guide rail means whose convolutions define a helical path therebetween along which the band moves lengthwise; a plurality of driven transporting elements adjacent to said path and arranged to engage with the edges of the band, said guide rail means being provided with a pair of channels receiving the edges of the band which is advanced by said transporting means along said path; a receptacle accommodating said guide means; and partition means extending between said receptacle and said guide means to subdivide the interior of said receptacle into a plurality of compartments.
 14. Apparatus for transporting elongated bands, particularly for transporting photographic film through a continuous developing unit, comprising stationary guide means including a drum having helical guide rail means whose convolutions define a helical path therebetween along which the band moves lengthwise; a plurality of driven transporting elements adjacent to said path and arranged to engage with the edges of the band, said guide rail means being provided with a pair of channels receiving the edges of the band which is advanced by said transporting means along said path; at least one additional guide means; additional transporting elements for conveying bands along the path defined by said additional guide means; auxiliary guide means for guiding bands between said first and last mentioned paths; and separate receptacles for said guide means. 